the most perfect
harmony and interchange of accommodations and good offices with those
governments as among the first objects.

Accept assurances of my high consideration, respect, and esteem.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXX.--TO TENCH COXE, February 11,1801

TO TENCH COXE.

Washington, February 11,1801.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of January the 25th came to hand some days ago, and yesterday
a gentleman put into my hand, at the door of the Senate chamber, the
volume of the American Museum for 1798. As no letter accompanied it, I
took it for granted it was to bring under my eye some of its contents. I
have gone over it with satisfaction.

This is the morning of the election by the House of Representatives.
For some time past a single individual had declared he would by his vote
make up the ninth State. On Saturday last he changed, and it stands at
present eight one way, six the other, and two divided. Which of the two
will be elected, and whether either, I deem perfectly problematical: and
my mind has long been equally made up for either of the three events.
If I can find out the person who brought me the volume for you, I shall
return it by him, because I presume it makes one of a set. If not by
him, I will find some other person who may convey it to Philadelphia if
not to Lancaster. Very possibly it may go by a different conveyance from
this letter. Very probably you will learn before the receipt of either,
the result, or progress at least, of the election. We see already at the
threshold, that if it falls on me, I shall be embarrassed by finding the
offices vacant, which cannot be even temporarily filled but with advice
of Senate, and that body is called on the fourth of March, when it is
impossible for the new members of Kentucky, Georgia, and South Carolina
to receive notice in time to be here. The summons for Kentucky, dated,
as all were, January the 31st, could not go hence till the 5th, and
that for Georgia did not go till the 6th. If the difficulties of the
election, therefore, are got over, there are more and more behind, until
new elections shall have regenerated the constituted authorities. The
defects of our constitution under circumstances like the present, appear
very great. Accept assurances of the esteem and respect of, Dear Sir,
your most obedient servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCLXXI.--TO JAMES MONROE, February 15, 1801

TO JAMES MONROE.

Washington, February 15, 1801.

Dear S